Ish Smith nears a return from shoulder surgery | Video

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Ish Smith made the trip to Memphis and is close to returning from offseason surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

“I’m not 100 percent, but I’m close,” he said. “I’m very, very close.”

Smith dislocated the shoulder over the summer, leaving him with perhaps the most painful injury he’s faced. In recent weeks, he’s been doing individual shooting and dribbling drills with assistant coaches.

Smith, 24, will compete with E’Twaun Moore, 23, to back-up Jameer Nelson at point guard.

His offers a different skill set than Moore, for both good and bad. The 6-foot-tall Smith is a true point guard — someone who prefers to make a pass over taking his own shot. But his shot isn’t as reliable as Moore’s.

Moore is a 6-foot-4 combo guard who is still learning the nuances of playing the point. But he is a more effective defender than Smith.